Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said Alderson was playfully responding to a New York paper that pointed out the GM was driving to Port St. Lucie — Horwitz said Alderson drives because he takes his dog.

Coming off their third straight losing record, the Mets have cut payroll by about $25 million since the start of 2011. A trial is scheduled next month on the lawsuit filed by the trustee seeking to recover money for victims of the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme. He is seeking $386 million, claiming the team’s owners were net winners from their investment.

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